Friday

Marine Distress Frequency Preserved

500 kHz Memorial.

There is a growing move amongst maritime groups world wide to preserve 500 kHz as a memorial frequency.

Of course, 500 kHz was the frequency used by the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912.

Since 1912, 500 kHz has been used by thousands of merchant ships to signal their plight in times of peace and war. 500 kHz has been the international marine Morse code distress frequency for the last 90-odd years.

More often than not, 500 kHz was witness to a ship's Radio Officer's last moments. Many Radio Officers literally died at their key as their ship fell victim to enemy action or was overwhelmed by the forces of nature.

Of course, 500 kHz was replaced by the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System or GMDSS in 1999. The frequency has fallen silent these days.